Chiranjeevi makes social justice his poll plank

Hyderabad: Actor-turned politician and chief of Praja Rajyam Party, Chiranjeevi has said that his party would ensure social justice to the people.
Addressing a public rally here on Saturday, Chiranjeevi said his party is formed for social justice. The Congress party gave 66 seats to backward class, but we will give more seats to them, he added.
He also lashed out at Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Rajasekhara Reddy and former chief and opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Chandrababu Naidu.
"The Chief Minister and the former Chief Minister are not providing social justice which Praja Rajyam alone will provide," said Chiranjeevi. Chiranjeevi launched his political party ''Praja Rajyam'' in August 2008.
India will hold a general election between April 16 and May 13, kicking off a mammoth process in which 714 million people will be eligible to cast their votes. Counting of ballots would take place on May 16.

IPL assured team owners of no losses: Nita Ambani

Mumbai: The Indian Premier League (IPL) has assured the franchisees that they will not suffer any losses if the Twenty20 tournament is held outside the country, Mumbai Indians co-owner Nita Ambani has said.
"Shifting IPL out of India was the last resort for us but we did not want to stop IPL from taking place this year. IPL has assured us that there won't be any losses," Nita, wife of Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani, told reporters after a meeting with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials.
"We are happy as long as IPL takes place and the Indian people get to watch the matches at the Indian time," she said. BCCI announced Sunday that the hugely popular Twenty20 Indian Premier League (IPL) will be played outside the country because state governments have expressed their inability to provide security to the tournament as it clashes with general elections.
BCCI took the decision at an emergency meeting after days of speculation about the second edition of the tournament that was originally set to take place April 10 to May 24. The BCCI conveyed its decision to the owners of the eight teams taking part in the IPL.
There was no word on the new venue, but speculation is that the tournament could take place in England or South Africa. "They are looking at different options and a decision on the venue will come out soon," she said.

Iftikhar Chaudhry takes charge as Pakistan chief justice

Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, who was sacked as the chief justice of Pakistan in November 2007 by then president Pervez Musharraf, resumed charge of the office early Sunday.
Right after taking charge, Chaudhry approved the roster of the apex court and constituted five benches for the principal as well as other seats, Geo TV reported, citing a statement from the Supreme Court.
Chaudhry, accompanied by members of the executive committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association and lawyers, will return to work Tuesday, the report said.
The Pakistan government reinstated Chaudhry after a lawyers' protest led by opposition leader Nawaz Sharif threatened to spin out of control a week ago.

Uttar Pradesh: Notification for first phase of five LS election to be issued tomorrow

The notification for the first phase of five phase Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh will be issued on Monday.
A total of sixteen parliamentary segments will go for poll in this phase.
The chief Electoral officer of the state Anuj Kumar Bishnoi has reviewed the poll arrangements of several districts in video conferencing.
He has directed strict implementations of model code of conduct and fool-proof security arrangements during the electioneering and on the day of polling.
Candidates may file their nomination papers till March 30.
Constituencies which will go for poll in first phase are Bansgaon, Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Deoria, Salempur, Ballia, Ghosi, Azamgarh, Lalganj, Machhlishahr, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Roberstganj and Mirzapur spread in thirteen districts of four divisions of Azamgarh, Vindhyachal, Gorakhpur and Varanasi.